FISHING-LINES. 261 



reel-line, for bait-fishing, should never be waterproofed 

 ■with any preparation, or by any means whatever, for this 

 can only be done with great detriment to the line, as re- 

 gards casting, besides increasing its caliber. 



Next best to the raw silk-line is the braided boiled silk- 

 line, or, as sometimes called, the dressed silk-line. This is 

 a good line when plaited hard and closely, but most of 

 them are too loosely braided; in which case they absorb 

 Avater quite freely, which develops an annoying propensity 

 of clinging to the rod in casting, and interferes somewhat 

 with the free rendering of the line. They are made of 

 good stock, however, and are quite strong, and nicely 

 tinted. Sizes F and G, or Nos. 4 and 5, are the only 

 ones to he used; and, for ordinary Bass-fishing, the lat- 

 ter, or smallest — letter G, or No. 5 — is the proper size. 

 The boiled silk-line should be as well cared for, and as 

 carefully dried, after use, as the raw silk-line, and for the 

 same reasons. 



The braided linen-line is a very good one, in one re- 

 spect better than the silk, being quite hard and closely 

 plaited, but the caliber is too large. The smallest size 

 now made is too great for a reel-line for Black Bass bait- 

 fishing. Where the Bass run very large, however, as in 

 lake-fishing, or in the extreme South, the smallest size 

 may be employed with satisfaction. It will last longer 

 than the silk-line, and will bear rougher and more careless 

 usage. It is much heavier, however, and is not so elastic; 

 and, therefore, not so desirable a line, in these respects, as 

 the silk-line. The only size to use is G, or 5. 



The above are the only lines that I can recommend for 

 bait-fishing for Black Bass, where much casting is prac- 

 ticed, for braided lines are the only lines that will not 



